Now before you scientists start geeking out too much on the idea that this poem is actually about Lake Baikal and our Russian colleagues’ excellent work there (!), I should remind you that the poet was inspired by reading about the research but the prose is really its own thing, beautiful to read but not so much about the science or the lake…

How many times has a song inspired me to work harder late at night in the lab or at my computer (check out my pick for best late night programming music), without the science itself being about the song? I think I get it. Inspiration works in many ways.